Dietetic Technician Practice Test

Which of the following is a responsibility of a DTR?

1. Providing tube feeding recommendations independently

2. Completing the initial nutrition screening on all admissions

3. Making therapeutic diet orders without supervision

4. Performing dietary assessments without collaboration with an RD

The correct answer is: Completing the initial nutrition screening on all admissions

The responsibility of completing the initial nutrition screening on all admissions falls within the scope of practice of a Dietary Technician Registered (DTR). This task is essential as it helps identify patients who may have specific nutritional needs or risk factors that need to be addressed. Nutrition screenings typically involve gathering data about the patient’s dietary habits, medical history, and current health status to identify areas where nutritional intervention may be required. This task is often performed under the supervision of a Registered Dietitian (RD), but it is an integral part of the DTR's role in patient care. By conducting these screenings, DTRs play a vital part in the multidisciplinary healthcare team, ensuring that nutritional needs are recognized early in the treatment process, which can ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. In contrast, the other options suggest responsibilities that are outside of a DTR's scope of practice. DTRs typically do not provide independent recommendations for tube feeding, make therapeutic diet orders without supervision, or perform dietary assessments without collaboration with an RD. These responsibilities are reserved for RDs, emphasizing the collaborative nature of nutritional care in which DTRs and RDs work together to provide the best outcomes for patients.